Background:regular dental check-ups is fundamental in preventing and detecting dental diseases.Majority of Saudi patients do not have the trend to visit dentist frequently and they go only for emergency treatment and mostly pain is the driving factor. Aim: to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and attitude of Jazan university students towards dental visits. Materials and Methodology:This descriptive cross-sectional; questionnaire based survey was carried out to evaluate the perception of Jazan university Saudi students towards dental visits. 352 students participated, age range of 20-24 years old. Results: The study revealed pain is the driving factor for most of the dental visits. 47.9%, their 1 stvisits complain was pain, 58% the driving factor for last visit is also pain. Although 29.1% occasionally visit dentist; 43% of them their last visit to dentist was 6 month ago. 47.6% were irregular visitors to dentist because they are afraid from dental needle and pain. 75% of the participants described their feeling at1st visit to dentist to be anxious and afraid. Although 88% of the participants knew that regular dental check-ups is important but this knowledge was not practiced.Only4.3% of the participants are driven to dental visit by dentist advice. Conclusion: there are lack of knowledge, wrong beliefs and negligence of dental visits in our study participants. Dental professional and mass media are not playing their role to change the knowledge and beliefs of the population.Recommendation: dental professionals’ media should be utilized spread knowledge of proper dental care.

1. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention
ISSN (Online): 2319 – 6718, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 670X
www.ijpsi.org Volume 5 Issue 7 ‖ November 2016 ‖ PP. 35-38
www.ijpsi.org 35 | P a g e
Perception of Dental Visits among Jazan University Students,
Saudi Arabia
Mona Awad Kamil
1
Department ofPreventive Dental sciences,Periodontics division, College Of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan,
Saudi Arabia.
ABSTRACT
Background:regular dental check-ups is fundamental in preventing and detecting dental diseases.Majority of
Saudi patients do not have the trend to visit dentist frequently and they go only for emergency treatment and
mostly pain is the driving factor.
Aim: to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and attitude of Jazan university students towards dental visits.
Materials and Methodology:This descriptive cross-sectional; questionnaire based survey was carried out to
evaluate the perception of Jazan university Saudi students towards dental visits. 352 students participated, age
range of 20-24 years old.
Results: The study revealed pain is the driving factor for most of the dental visits. 47.9%, their 1st
visits
complain was pain, 58% the driving factor for last visit is also pain. Although 29.1% occasionally visit dentist;
43% of them their last visit to dentist was 6 month ago. 47.6% were irregular visitors to dentist because they
are afraid from dental needle and pain. 75% of the participants described their feeling at1st visit to dentist to be
anxious and afraid. Although 88% of the participants knew that regular dental check-ups is important but this
knowledge was not practiced.Only4.3% of the participants are driven to dental visit by dentist advice.
Conclusion: there are lack of knowledge, wrong beliefs and negligence of dental visits in our study
participants. Dental professional and mass media are not playing their role to change the knowledge and
beliefs of the population.Recommendation: dental professionals’ media should be utilized spread knowledge of
proper dental care.
Keywords:questionnaire, pain, dental visits
I. Introduction
Regular dental check-ups are fundamental in preventing and detecting dental diseases, showing a
positive outcome over the conservation of a natural and functional dentition [1].Majority of the population in
developing countries do not have specific trends to visit doctors [2].The need for regular dental check-ups, the
use of floss, is not appreciated in many parts of the world. For example 50% of the American population visits
the dentist annually and in Singapore only low percent did it. The American Dental Association (ADA) and
other organizations recommended that adults thoroughly brush and floss their teeth at least once a day and get
regular oral health check-ups [1]. Extending the intervals between checkup dental visits may lead to a greater
chance of oral diseases progression without intervention, causing painful and/or irreversible damages to the
dentition [3]. Educated people have better health condition and they used to have more regular and frequent
dental visits[4]. The probability of visiting a dental clinic for a regular check‐up increased among the literate
and those who implement oral hygiene practices. Regular examinations help at early diagnosis of dental
problems, prevent their deterioration andraises awareness of oral health [5]. Despite the free dental services
accessible to Saudi citizens 54% of the participants seek only emergency treatment. This may be due to
dissatisfaction with public services or lack of attentiveness and awareness. [6]. Lack of information, and
financial difficulties were reasons for non-obedience with oral hygiene regimens [7]. The dentist, television,
family, and friends were the most common sources of dental health information. Dentist was an influential
source of preventive measures. However mass media was found to influence and encourage awareness in using
dental care. Television is most effective and best source of information, as it is watched by all the family
members [1]. It was reported that; those who have acquired good knowledge presented good oral health
behavior. [8].Patient satisfaction is part of oral health care delivery.Dental complaints made by patients may
cause a great deal of anxiety and stress and might have inferences of the family and friends’ [9]. A low
education level was among the primary reasons for not seeking regular dental care and dental fear [10].Dentistry
like most medical fields that involve communication between the doctor and patients is a very intimate process.
The patient-dentist relationship is an important factor and needs to be taken seriously. The quality of
interpersonal care is important to patients Acquaintance and perception of patient’s preferences is essential for
improving the quality of dental care (11). Failure to fulfill patients’ needs and prospect wear away the trust and
consequently lead to patient negative behaviors toward dental profession. Patient’s level of confidence in a

2. Perception of dental visits Among Jazan university students, Saudi Arabia
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dentist governs whether that patient regularly go for oral healthcare[12]. The prevalence of dental anxiety has
been documented in many countries worldwide. Avoidance of dental care, irregular dental attendance, and poor
cooperation with care provider are considered the main outcomes of dental anxiety ([0].Dental painwas the
reason for visiting the dentist andthe people rarely seek an appointment for check-up[3], [13]. The reasons
behind non visiting dentist was found by many studies to be explained in terms of the high cost of dental
treatment , fear of pain and discomfort associated with dental procedure [14], fear of drilling and dental needle
phobia [13]
II. Material And Methods
The study design was a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered, structured and pre-validated
close ended questionnaire that evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and attitude of Jazan university students towards
dental visits. Questionnaire was designed by a team of dental professionals after a thorough literature review.
Questionnaire was prepared in English language and translated to Arabic language for the convenience of the
study population. The questionnaire was designed to be comprehensible and was pretested on a group of ten
students who were requested to complete the questionnaire. The pre-test focused on the student’s ability to
understand the vocabulary used in the questionnaire.Four hundred questionnaires were distributed randomly
among Jazan university students kingdom of Saudi Arabia; total of 352 students participated and responded to
the study. Participants are all college students with equal gender participation and age range of 20-24 years old.
Exclusion criteria were medical and dental students, and those who refused to take part in the study. The study
was carried out in the month of March-June 2015. Consent was obtained from all the individuals who
participated in the study. Confidentiality and anonymity of the respondents were assured. Care was taken that
students did not duplicate each other’s answers by asking each one to answer separately maintaining some space
between them. Assessment of patient’s dental visit knowledge included items on the reasons for visiting dentist,
reason for not visiting dentist, frequency of visiting dentist, time and driving factor and feeling at 1st dental
visit, last dental visit time and driving factor, source of oral health information, idea about regular dental visit
for checkup, sources of information about oral health. The completed questionnaire was collected and was
subjected to statistical analysis. The data was analyzed using the statistical Package for Social Sciences version
20 software. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the sample and responses of the questionnaire.
III. Results And Discussion
Dental visit driving factors: In our study 58.2% of the participants visited dentist only for treatment of pain
which is similar to the result of Hind Al Johani56.9% [3], and less than Sharma et al results 36% of the
participants’ pain is the reason for visiting. Only 21.4% of our study participants their dental visit is without
complain, which was high compared to Sharma et al study results showed 12.46% visited for regular checkup.
[14]
Last dental visit time and driving factor: 44.2% of the study population reported visiting a dentist during last
6 months, and 44.7% their last visit driving factor was pain.Only 4.3% are advised by dentists, this reflected that
dental practitioners are not taking their role to influence and encourage awareness in using dental care (figure
number 1).
Frequency of visiting the dentist: Our study participants 12% visited the dentist once or twice per year. This is
similar Sharma et al results showed 12.5% visited for regular checkup. However 47.9% visit dentist when they
have pain and 29.1% are occasional visitors [14]. The finding of ElBcheraoui et al 11.5% participants had
visited a dental clinic for a routine check‐up and (48.6%) for a complaint during the last year [5]. And
inconsistent with the results of Hind Eljohani 24.8% visited twice per year or more [3]
Regular dental visits: 88.9% of the participants thought regular dental visit are important although
surprisingly small percentage only (12%) used to visit dentist on regular basis; once or even twice per year
figure (2).65% of our study participants thought oral health is as important as general health. This showed that
the study participants acquired good knowledge, but this knowledge was not implemented into practice by
acquiring regular dental visits; this reflect that there was a big gap between participants’ knowledge and
practice. Baseer MA et al 2012 results showed 92.5% agreed that regular dental visit was important, however
morethan 50% of his study participants showed a positive attitude toward necessity of regular visit to
dentist[13]. But only 62.5% of Baseer MA et al 2016 participants agreed with the importance of regular dental
visits [15].
Dental phobia, fear and anxiety: When participants are asked about how they felt at their dental appointment
28.5 % is extremely anxious & too much afraid & 45.9% are slightly afraid and 17.5% of the participants had a
positive feeling. This is consistent with the results of Khalifastudy of dental anxiety scores (27.5%) are
extremely anxious [10].
Reasons for irregular dental visits:When participants were asked about why they are irregular visitors to
dentists;half of them have dental injection phobia (47.6%), 10% afraid of dental drill and its sounds and, only

3. Perception of dental visits Among Jazan university students, Saudi Arabia
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1.2% reported that; dental treatment is expensive, 23.1% because they did not have pain. While for Fatinstudy
results only 14% are because of dental phobia and long waiting for governmental hospitals and high cost for
private ones[7]. Baseer MA et alstudy concluded that fear of drilling was the main reason for avoiding or not
visiting the dentist [13]. KhalifaKhalifa study conclude that the participants who are slightly anxious; some of
them had a positive feeling after the first appointment[10]. However those who are extremely anxious were
negative about dental appointment. Sharma et al reported30.39% non-visiting because of fear of pain and
discomfort, (31.31%) high cost, (16.72%) lack of time [14]. Lack of information, and financial difficulties were,
reasons for non-adherence with oral hygiene regimens (Fatinawartani 2009). Only 4.3% are advised by dentist
[7].
IV. Conclusion
The findings of this study conclude that; there was lack of perception, awareness behavior
towardsdental visits and its role in preventing oral diseases.Dental professional should make every power to
educate the public; the benefits and importance of regular dental visit.Intensive dental educational programs in
schools, strong measures should be taken to reduce and eliminate dental treatment phobia, use all measures and
new techniques to reduce dental anxiety and phobia.Formulate strategies to develop and implement programs to
increase the awareness of oral health.These programs are needed to educate patients about the importanceof
visiting the dentist on a regular basis.
V. Figures And Tables
Table showing the percent for the study different variables:
1) Do you think regular dental checkup is
important
Percent 2) Do you think oral health is as important as
general health?
Percent
regular dental checkup is important
regular dental treatment is not important
88.9%
11.1%
Yes I think oral health is as important as general
health
65%
26%
3) Frequency of visiting dentist Percent 4) Dental visit driving factors Percent
once or twice per year
Occasionally
if I have pain
never visited dentist
12.0%
29.1%
47.9%
11.1%
pain
not feeling good
felling nothing
58.2%
11.1%
21.4%
5) How do you feel when you visit dentist Percent 6) Reasons for irregular dental visits percent
too much afraid
Slightly or moderately afraid
not afraid
no visit
28.5%
45.9%
17.1%
6.3%
afraid from dental drill and it's sounds
afraid from dental needle
no nearby clinic
didn’t have time
dental treatment is expensive
didn't have pain
10.0%
47.6%
8.8%
8.5%
1.1%
22.8%
7) what is the driving factor for your last dental
visit
Percent 8) time for your last dental visit Percent
Pain
advised by friend or family member
Advised by dentist
Other
no visit
44.7%
15.7%
4.3%
26.5%
5.7%
before 6 month
before 1-2 years
in the last 2-5 years
more than 5 years ago
43.0%
25.6%
6.8%
15.4%
Figure number (1) last dental visit driving factor

4. Perception of dental visits Among Jazan university students, Saudi Arabia
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Figure no (2) percent of participants’ regular dental checkup
Figure no (3) Reasons for irregular dental visits
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